The Best Tuna Salad Sandwich
Published: by · This post may contain affiliate links
Delicious and so easy to make, this tuna salad sandwich recipe isnt just quick to prepare, its budget-friendly too.
The staple of the school lunchbox, sometimes theres nothing better than a tuna salad sandwich. When it comes to sandwich fillings, tuna fish salad gets a bit of a bad reputation, but when made properly and packed with delicious ingredients its a quick and easy option for lunch. Wrap it up tightly or put it in a Ziploc bag to keep it together and its the perfect lunch for school, work, or on the go.
A good tuna salad sandwich recipe makes the most of the fish involved and has plenty of room for variation. So you can tailor it exactly to your tastes.
Dont like mayo? Swap for Greek yogurt. Think its missing some flavor? Use other condiments to keep the tuna salad recipe creamy, like mustard, sriracha, tomatoes, or jalapeños.
Alongside all the vegetables Ive added here, this tuna salad recipe is packed with goodness. Tuna is naturally high in Vitamin B12 and Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. This can keep your heart healthy, lower cholesterol, and maintain healthy function of the eyes and brain.
Canned tuna specifically is still very good for you, especially if its been minimally processed. Its high in protein, low in fat, and high in essential minerals like calcium and magnesium.
What Type Of Tuna Is Best For Tuna Fish Salad
Not all brands of canned tuna are created equal, either in terms of their flavor profile or their health benefits. My favorite sustainable, dolphin-safe brands are Wild Planet and Safe Catch . This post on the best healthy, tasty canned tuna options is a great read.
For this recipe, I suggest using tuna packed in water. If you only have tuna packed in olive oil, you can drain and rinse it using a mesh strainer. In a pinch, this salad taste great with canned salmon.
Lets Make A Broccoli Tuna Salad
- Make the broccoli rice. Place broccoli florets into a food processor and pulse until it becomes grainy like rice.
- Mix it all together. In a large bowl, stir together the canned tuna, mayonnaise, green onion, sunflower seeds, herbs, salt, pepper, and 1 cup of broccoli rice.
- Enjoy in various ways! While you can eat the salad straight out of the bowl, see below for more ways to enjoy it.
Read Also: Classic Potato Salad With Egg
What Kind Of Tuna To Use
Tuna can be a wonderful, low-cost protein option. It is also nutrient-rich, containing essential vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. There are a couple kinds of tuna out there, like white albacore and chunk light. Some are packed in olive oil, while others are packed in water.
I try to use wild-caught Yellowfin or Albacore tuna as much as possible. And if you’re concerned about the fat content, your best bet will be tuna packed in water instead of olive oil. I’ve used both in the past, but I now prefer to use tuna packed in water and then add my own extra virgin olive oil so I can control the flavor and the amount used.Mercury levels in tuna can be a health concern, which is why my family eats it no more than once every two weeks.
How Can I Make Tuna Salad Healthier
As mentioned in the previous question, there are ways to reduce the amount of fat and calories in tuna salad by substituting certain ingredients like low-fat mayonnaise or yogurts for regular versions. Spices, fruits, vegetables, legumes , and other additions can be used to make tuna salad more filling and delicious!
Also Check: How Many Calories Are In A Wendy’s Taco Salad
Give This Easy Tuna Salad A Try
It really is a great recipe and so simple and easy. Just make sure you use tuna packed in water. You dont want to get the tuna packed in oil!
We all love this delicious tuna salad. I love to top mine with sliced tomatoes and more red onion. It is so easy to make.
You can substitute greek yogurt and sour cream for the mayo. Another idea is to add boiled egg to the recipe for even more protein.
We actually make a big batch of boiled eggs to eat during the week so it is super easy to add these to recipes. It helps with meal prep and you can make a ton if you make hard boiled eggs in the oven. I tried it once, and now I have been making them this way for years.
Try this tuna salad sandwich recipe and let us know what you think. We love to make these and go on a picnic. It really is the perfect picnic food and so easy to make.
These are also great for baby showers and you can use the mini croissants for something bite size. The options are endless with this delicious recipe.
The Easiest Way To Make Tuna Salad Taste Better
Try this recipe first if youre in a hurry and dont have much time to cook. Its one of the easiest ways to make tuna salad taste better, but it still has tons of flavor! All you need are a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Finish it off with your favorite toppings, and voilà, youre ready to go!
1 can tuna fish packed in water
2 tablespoons mayonnaise or plain yogurt
Instructions:
Drain liquid from the tuna can and place fish in a medium bowl. Using a fork, flake fish into small pieces. Stir in yogurt or mayonnaise until its evenly combined throughout the mixture. Add desired spices, fresh or dried herbs, lemon juice, salt/pepper to taste. Serve on bread with lettuce, tomatoes, and your favorite toppings.
Recommended Reading: Best Salad For Kidney Disease
How To Make Tuna Salad
To get started, youll need to drain your tuna. After cutting the lid with a can opener, press the lid against the tuna and tilt the can to drain all the liquid out over a sink. Remove the lid and place the tuna in a medium sized bowl.
Then, add the mayonnaise, celery, red onion, parsley, and dijon mustard to the bowl. Use a fork to mix everything together, while breaking up any large pieces of tuna. Season with salt and pepper to taste and thats it!
How To Make Mediterranean Tuna Salad
It takes about 15 minutes to make this delicious summer salad!
- Add red bell pepper, red onion, cucumber, albacore tuna fish, garlic, chickpeas, black olives, and lemon zest in a large mixing bowl and mix.
- Drizzle olive oil, lemon juice, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve cold. Enjoy!
Also Check: Quinoa Mango Black Bean Salad
Why Youll Want To Make Tuna Sandwiches
During the summer months, tuna salad sandwiches are one of my favorite things to make for lunch.
Plus, theyre easy, and dont require heating up the kitchen!
Its so nice to be able to keep a can of tuna in the pantry for those last minute meals, like this tuna pasta salad recipe, and for this recipe, you can use whatever kind of tuna you prefer: albacore, tuna with olive oil, etc. However, I think the best kind of tuna is white tuna in water, in case you find that helpful!
Is Canned Tuna Healthy
I say, yes! Canned tuna is an excellent source of high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals and is low in saturated fat. Ounce for ounce, tuna is lower in calories, fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol than even the leanest cuts of beef and chicken.
I feel that canned tuna definitely deserves a spot in a healthy, balanced diet. Just be sure to moderate your intake as large sport fish, like tuna, are known to contain mercury.
Also Check: Acacia Wood Salad Bowl Set
How To Make Tuna Salad Taste Better Best Tuna Salad Recipes
You may think you know how to make tuna salad taste better, but there are a few key ingredients that can take it from bland and boring to the best thing youve ever eaten!
Ever wonder why some peoples tuna salad is better than others? It might be because they added something extra like spicy mustard or fresh lemon juice. These sneaky additions will give your meal an extra oomph. Youll never want to go back!
This blog post has all the tips for making this dish perfect every time. Plus, we have tried-and-true recipes for when youre in a pinch and dont have much time on your hands. Try one of our more complicated recipes with tons of flavor combinations if youre feeling up for it. Youll never leave your house on an empty stomach again!
How To Make Tuna Salad Actually Taste Good
If tuna salad calls to mind soggy sandwiches with little flavor and even less texture, its time to revisit this easy, classic meal. With just a couple of pantry and refrigerator basics, you can make a tuna salad youll actually want to eat.
For vegetarians and adamant tuna-haters, a can of chickpeas is an easy substitute. Simply drain and rinse your canned chickpeas – for an extra level of texture and flavor quickly sauté them in 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes, then season with a little salt. This extra step removes that weird tin flavor from canned chickpeas, giving you a more delicious base to start with.
Now heres what you need to make your canned protein taste incredible.
Recommended Reading: Arby’s Chicken Salad Sandwich
You Will Make Friends With This Nioise Salad
Im always gushing over big salads, especially those that can basically be eaten as a meal. This Niçoise Salad is a prime example of that. I mean, look at that bounty! This recipe brings you a brimming plate full of fresh crunchy veggies, briny olives, creamy potatoes, jammy eggs, and hearty tuna fillets from King Oscar Seafood. Honestly, as far as salads go, this one is just next-level goodness.
Serve Broccoli Rice With
Just about anything! Whichever rice dish youre thinking of, broccoli can take its place for a light yet veggie-heavy meal. Heres a few ways to do it.
- A simple side dish: Eat it alongside some crispy chicken thighs or pan seared salmon.
- A veggie-loaded salad: Add it to tuna salad to youve got a broccoli tuna salad with sneaky greens.
- For a macro bowl: Use it as a base and layer roasted vegetables and shredded chicken on top. But you can also swap the rice in recipes like my teriyaki chicken, carnitas burrito bowl, or coconut curry chicken.
- Toss into fried rice: Instead of cauliflower fried rice, swap it with broccoli!
Recommended Reading: Best Foods Potato Salad Recipe
How Long Does Tuna Salad Last In The Fridge
Tuna salad can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to a week. And of course, sandwiches are just one of many dishes you can make with tuna salad.
Mix in some macaroni for an easy pasta salad side dish, or pack it into avocado halves or scooped-out tomatoes for a gluten-free lunch. A few spoonfuls of tuna salad with crackers is also one of my favorite afternoon snacks.
How To Make A Tuna Melt
Looking for new ways to serve this tuna recipe? Make it a melt!
My kids LOVE tuna melts! A tuna melt is basically a grilled cheese sandwich with tuna in it. You can even add sliced tomato and bacon. Yum!
- Warm a skillet over medium-high heat. Then, butter each side of two slices of bread. We like white, wheat or sourdough bread with lots of surface area.
- Lay one of the pieces of bread in the skillet and top it with plenty of tuna salad.
- Top the tuna with a slice of cheese and a second piece of bread .
- After about 4-5 minutes and when the bottom bread is nice and toasty, carefully flip the entire sandwich.
- Cook the second side until it is golden brown. Remove and enjoy!
Don’t Miss: Best Potato Salad Recipe With Egg
Tips For Making Tuna Salad Taste Better:
Add something crunchy to give it more texture! Try adding chopped celery or sliced almonds. You can also try swapping mayonnaise with plain yogurt. If youre not a fan of tuna packed in water, Starkist now offers tuna cans in oil and spring water.
If youre up for it, here is another quick and simple recipe thats guaranteed to be your go-to dish from now on! You can change the flavors and ingredients according to what you like. For example: if you hate pickles, swap them out with cucumbers or onions.
Ingredients:
1 can tuna fish packed in water
2 tablespoons plain yogurt or mayonnaise
1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard, Dijon Mustard, or other preferred flavors
Dash of cayenne pepper if desired
Instructions:
Drain liquid from the tuna can and place fish in a medium bowl. Using a fork, flake fish into small pieces. Stir in plain yogurt or mayonnaise until its evenly combined throughout the mixture. Add desired spices, fresh or dried herbs, lemon juice, salt/pepper to taste. Serve on bread with lettuce, tomatoes, and your favorite toppings.
If youre craving more traditional tuna salad that tastes just like mom used to make, then try this recipe that cooks the tuna for you. With a crispy top and a soft creamy center, its packed with flavor and guaranteed to be a family favorite!
1 can tuna fish packed in water
2 tablespoons plain yogurt or mayonnaise
1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard, Dijon Mustard, or other preferred flavors
Dash of cayenne pepper if desired
Instructions:
Our Favourite Easy Tuna Salad
Posted
This easy tuna salad is one of our go-to healthy dinners all year round. Just grab a can of tuna. Then add tangy cheese and chopped onion, crisp and juicy lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes, creamy avocado, pickled beetroot and some crunchy nuts or seeds on top. Its surprisingly delicious for such a simple salad! The best part? Dinner is served in just 10 minutes!
I know what youre thinking. Who needs a recipe for a canned tuna salad as easy as this one?
Well, if youre like me its sometimes just IDEAS you need. What to have for dinner when youve got zero time to shop and a maximum half hour to get the meal on the table.
Jump to
Read Also: What Time Does Chicken Salad Chick Close
What Is Nioise Salad
Theres a lot of history and debate behind the Niçoise Salad. It originated in Nice, France. Purists will tell you that cooked vegetables have no place in this medleyespecially potatoes. Traditionally, this salad is constructed with raw red peppers, shallots, artichoke hearts, and other various seasonal crudités. But cooked green beans and potatoes have become a very common component of the Niçoise Salad in other parts of the world! I personally love the idea of including earthy and crisp green beans along with creamy potatoes so, Im with the rebels I guess. And Im not sorry.
Tuna Salad Sandwich Recipe
Im a huge fan of tuna salad and try to always keep it in the fridge. This makes for a quick meal and it is super filling and inexpensive to make. The tuna is packed with protein and so budget friendly.
You will love how easy it is and it tastes much better than anything you can buy in the stores. It has the perfect combination of tuna and mayo. It isnt too thick or too runny. Seriously, it is just the best!
Recommended Reading: Tuna Salad Recipe Without Mayo
More Easy Fish Dinners
- This lemon butter salmon with potatoes and asparagus is another popular recipe on the blog. If asparagus is out of season, just substitute with broccoli!
- Fan of Mediterranean flavors? You have to try this Greek baked fish!
- You only need potato, fish and a few fresh yummy flavors to make these crispy salmon fish cakes. Delicious!
- Last but definitely not least, try this crowd pleasing lemony tuna spaghetti recipe.
IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE, LET ME KNOW HOW YOU GET ON BELOW AND DONT FORGET TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE ALL MY NEW RECIPES BY EMAIL!
This Is The Best Tuna Salad Sandwich
You can enjoy this on sandwich bread or toss it in pasta to make pasta salad. It really is so versatile.
We also love tuna salad open faced sandwiches. This makes amazing tuna melts. Add cheese and toast in the oven for a hot and delicious sandwich idea.
Feel free to add bell pepper or red onion to the tuna mixture when you are making it. It is easy to adapt to what you have on hand.
It is such a classic recipe and a great base to add extra ingredients that you love. Give this a try! We enjoy it all the time but it is especially great in the summer when you dont want to heat up the kitchen.
Keep your kitchen cool and make this easy recipe. You will be so glad you did.
Read Also: Beet Goat Cheese Walnut Salad
Seek Out Some Of King Oscars Yellowfin Tuna For This Recipe
I actually cant imagine eating this salad with any other tuna. King Oscars yellowfin tuna fillets are meaty, tender, and incredibly flavorful since theyre packed with other quality ingredients. I recommend the Yellowfin Tuna in Extra Virgin Olive Oil With Herbs de Provence. These tuna fillets are hand-packed alongside roasted red bell peppers, green and black olives, garlic, herbs of Provence, and salt, making them the absolute perfect match for a Niçoise Salad!